‘Human capital’ label defended

The head of human capital at Arthur Anderson has hit back at claims that the term is an insult to employees.

Michael Stanley said the phrase human capital sends out the message that people are valuable and are there to be nurtured.

“Resources are something which are mined and then depleted like a mineral. When the mines are exhausted you move on and seek out another resource. The term is atrocious.”

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In July Scottish Power HR director Paul Pagliari attacked incomprehensible jargon and singled out the term human capital as a particular hate (11 July).

Peugeot personnel director Mike Judge, who is known for disliking the term “human resources”, weighs into the debate, by criticising jargon.